Me too but I hope that these are cleansing tears. There is so much more to this world than our limited human minds can even comprehend. Earth is the war zone where we are our faith and strength is tested to the extreme. Heaven is the place where we have come from a place of healing, restoration and strength. These poems are a good reminder that heaven is not so far away. This is the only thing keeping me sane right now is making the deliberate decision to open my heart and faith to a place way more beautiful, loving and wonder-ful than even what I can offer my furkids.

My Golden, Dawson, crossed over the bridge 4 weeks ago. What has brought me solace is a children's book that was recommended by my vet years ago as she thought it would bring me comfort and peace. The name of the book is "Dog Heaven" by Cynthia Rylant. The beginning of the book starts as "When dogs go to Heaven, they don't need wings because God knows that dogs love running best. He gives them fields. Fields and fields and fields. When a dog goes to Heaven, he just runs. Dog Heaven has clear, wide lakes filled with geese who honk and flap and tease. The dogs love this. They run beside the water and bark and bark and God watches them from behind a tree and smiles." Later on in the book, it says "Dogs in Dog Heaven have almost always belonged to somebody on Earth and, of course, the dogs remember this. Heaven is full of memories. So sometimes an angel will walk a dog back to Earth for a little visit and quietly, invisibly, the dog will sniff about his old backyard, will investigate the cat next door, will follow the child to school, will sit on the front porch and wait for the mail. When he is satisfied that all is well, the dog will return to Heaven with the angel. It is where dogs belong, near God who made him."

I can't tell you how many times this book has touched my heart and brought me peace, and even smiles, through my tears. I can just picture my dog running fast, through fields of flowers with God smiling as he watches. I have bought several copies and keep them on hand to give to friends whose dogs have crossed over the Bridge. It is just a wonderful book. This journey for us who are left behind is painful but I believe that our pets will be waiting for us when we finally cross the Bridge. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time in your life.

Thank you so much for sharing this. What a very special book.
I'm so sorry that Dawson had to leave. It is always so hard for those left behind. Until you reunite I hope that Dawson has the most wonderful time checking out those cheeky geese and providing lots of entertainment for God and the angels as they giggle at his antics behind that tree. Best wishes!

I actually posted a few things way back when, to include a few poems, quotes and quotations. If you do a search under Blondi threads, you will see the last 7 on the bottom of page 3. Also very comforting, which I posted is the willogreen website and another post about cremation beads.

This one I found online it is anonymous... But I just imagine my Chopper saying this to me. Remember the movie homeward bound, I always imagined that was his personality and his voice. Like wise old shadow! Anyways here's the poem that touches me most... not that all of this hasn't... thank you for making me weep at work!

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
The sun will rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
Remembering how I'd lay my head
In your lap that special way.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me.
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And petted me with her hand.
She said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But, as I turned to heel away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I never thought
That I would have to die.

I had so much to live for,
So many sits and downs to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought about our lives together,
I know you must be sad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

Remember how I'd nudge your hand,
And poke you with my nose?
The frisbee I would gladly chase,
The bad guy, I'd "bark and hold".

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for awhile,
I'd wag my tail and kiss you,
Just so I could see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories
Will take the place of me.
And when I thought of treats and toys,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did,
My dog-heart filled with sorrow.

But then I walked through Heaven's gate,
And felt so much at home;
As God looked down and smiled at me,
From His beautiful golden throne.

He said, “This is eternity,
And now we welcome you,
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last;
For you see, each day's the same day,
There's no longing for the past.
Now you have been so faithful,
So trusting, loyal and true;
Though there were times you did things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But good dogs are forgiven,
And now at last you're free;
So won't you sit here by my side,
And wait right here with me?”

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart.

__________________ Speak to my baby softly, please
with a hug and warm hello.
He's a special gift to you, dear Lord
from me-who loved him so. Chopper 4/14/04 - 11/27/11 ~not long enough~

Boomer

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"He took my heart and ran with it, and I hope he's running still, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with his forever" - Patricia McConnell

"A good dog never dies. He always stays. He walks besides you on crisp autumn days when frost is on the fields and winter's drawing near. His head is within our hand in his old way." - Mary Carolyn Davies

One of the best things I have done to prepare myself for the inevitable is to come to the grief forums to support others which has reminded me and strengthened my own core beliefs about having faith in a wiser place.

When I visit the grief forums I see so many people devastated by their loss so I started this thread not only for me but for all of us who need an extra ray of healing sunshine. I hope that anyone who who has lost a special pup can reconnect with them in this small way and have hope and faith that there is more out there.

Another phrase that has helped me lately is "Untie the rope." Meaning untie the ropes that hold you in negative places. Of course it does not mean untie the ropes of the positive connections we have but all of the 'what ifs' and the 'I should have's or any other negative thought that robs today of its strength. We didn't choose this for our beloved pets. However we need to make the deliberate decision to replace the weak feelings with those of forgiveness, healing, love and strength just as our pups tried to teach us in our daily lives.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far. May your healing words come back you to many times over in the form of a feeling of empowerment through having the special privilege of knowing and having loved such a joyous and wonder-ful golden soul who is now another one in your team of your fiercely loyal guardian angels.

I hope when the time comes, you know it is the time,that he tells you, because that is what spencer did, he let me know,in a very sure way,i even got a picture of him, i knew exactly what he was telling me, because of him doing that ,i had peace .

__________________

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